Background
: The Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) is associated with chronic gastritis and is now recognized to be the main factor in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer disease. The eradication treatment of H. pylori significantly lowers ulcer relapse rate, which is accompanied by important histological change. We evaluated the prevalence of H. pylori infection in upper gastrointestinal diseases.

Methods : Total 491 patients(274 with chronic gastritis, 134 with gastric ulcer, 57 with duodenal ulcer, and 26 with gastrointestinal ulcer) were tested for H. pylori infection by the CLO test, hematoxylin-eosin stain and Giemsa stain.

Results : The prevalence of H. pylori infection was 74.0% in male and 58.6% in female. The prevalence of H. pylori infection was 73.2% in 30-59 year-old group and 60.2% in older age group. The sex and age adjusted prevalence of H. pylori infection was 64.7% in chronic gastritis, 69.4% in gastric ulcer, 84.5% in duodenal ulcer and 87.8% in gastroduodenal ulcer.

Conclusion : The prevalence of H. pylori infection of upper gastrointestinal diseases is significantly higher in male, 30-59 year-old group, peptic ulcer and duodenal ulcer than in female, older age group(over 60), chronic gastritis and gastric ulcer, respectively.